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Driving back home now down a very busy M6 after a very cold day spent working in Dalton-in-Furness.

It was great to meet Adrian and his Mk II MGF 1.8 mpi (in LQW), that he had bought a few months ago, and very shortly afterwards the proverbial happened. Having owned MGs in the past and also an owner of an MGB he’s fully aware of the potential issues.

Head gasket replaced, the one on it was a Mk I elastomer one and had been replaced once before. Took quite some time draining off a load of oil with the severe cold, and which resembled cake mix. It is a very good looking car underneath the thick covering of ice.

Adrian had taken the spheres off his previous car so asked if we could fit them to this one. We were late arriving this morning due to a couple of delays on the way up, but everything all sorted for him before it got dark.

Yesterday morning found us in Sowerby, near Thirsk for head gasket replacement on Will’s TF 135 (in PBT). Will had done a load of work on the car, absolute kudos to him, but unfortunately the head gasket hadn’t taken, and he’d got a bit fed up with it. Happily now everything is sorted the car will be going back to Uni with him after Christmas.

From there we went on to Guisborough where we were saw our first snow of the season. It was lovely to see Kevin again and his fab Trophy that was looking a bit on the low side, so we pumped her up. The drivers window had become very slow, so we took a replacement one with us to fit. Good to have a catch-up with Kevin and Amanda before heading back home.

It’s going to be a bit of a long haul home now according to the SatNav, though gives me time for me to get caught up on the admin and feed Jon chocolate! Have a great weekend everyone, hope it’s not too chilly! ⛄️ – https://ift.tt/P98AzWH

Day off on Monday for a family event, so it was back to it at the workshop on Tuesday.

Warren had left his fab looking TF 160 (in LEF) with us for a few things to be sorted. Heater resister pack replaced, diagnostics carried out for the emissions light being on, all faults cleared. New wiper stalk fitted and a multi-function relay. Some other work to be done at a later date for him.

A visit to Hebden Bridge this morning, and a bit of an icy one too 🥶

Emma had got in touch as her daily car, a MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ) named ‘Gina’, had suspected head gasket failure. Emma had bought the car from London about 8 months ago and had enjoyed many runs out over the summer. Fortunately, for her, following all our standard checks it turned out to be a failed expansion tank cap.

While we were there Emma asked if we could carry out a full check over of the car, hydragas pumped up, as was sitting a tad low. We replaced the passenger side door handle, and adjusted the window, that was being awkward, following an unfortunate incident with a skip! Good to meet Emma and what a fab car she has got herself. Thanks for the brew Emma and hope you get all your bits and pieces sorted and enjoy your fab car.

What an amazing landmark that we passed on the way, that’s often been shrouded in mist and fog, when we’ve been by before, Wainhouse Tower. You can actually go all the way up it, we will have to book in next time we’re in the area, the view should be worth the climb up the 369 steps!

Bit more progress made on the house 😬

Another local call, in the morning, in Sowerby, thermals at the ready! – https://ift.tt/HadzQcq

Back up in the north east again today to round off the week where we started it on Monday & Tuesday.

Wednesday didn’t happen, as the car that was supposed to be with us from Llanelli was unfortunately let down last minute by the courier. As it happens it helped us out with getting more forms to the relevant people to try and secure our house purchase, yes that’s still ongoing, but hopefully nearing the completion date! The Llanelli car will be up with us in a couple of weeks time.

It was really great to meet Mick on Thursday who came over to us from Mexborough, we were going to go over to him, but with the list of things we had to do and the fact he had limited space for the van he suggested coming to us instead and having a run out in his TF 135 (in JHG) that he’s owned for 4 years and is his daily drive.

Cambelt service carried out along with replacing all filters and spark plugs. On the last MOT it was mentioned that the front wheel bearings were needing attention. On inspecting them it was down to top ball joint nearside front and track rod end offside front, plus both front top arms had little or no grease in them, so we duly packed these. Fortunately, for Mick all sorted and after a test drive, we found everything to be good and smooth.

It was also in for query head gasket failure, but we found that the water pump had been leaking, which would account for the one time it overheated in traffic.

A health check carried out and everything else found to be good on the list of queries, Mick will now be looking at getting the body work done. Date to be arranged to go over and check out his TF 160 at some point.

Our first call today was in Shildon, where we met Fred and his recent bargain purchase of a TF 1.8 mpi. He had bought the car knowing the head gasket had gone and subsequently got in touch with us, we advised not to attempt to start the car, as due to his description it may have been acqua-locked, which would have resulted in an unhappy outcome for the engine and the owner! Sure enough this was the case, but Fred had drained off all the coolant. On our further inspection with the borescope there was no further damage to the pistons. A date to be arranged to return and carry out all the work required to get the car up to full spec for him. The bodywork is spot on and obviously been well cared for with the previous owner, so it’s definitely a worthy save.

We then headed over to Darlington to see Terry and the ‘Chairman’. Terry had been noticing that the battery was draining over periods of none use, so we suggested that he might benefit from one the remote immobilisers. This was duly fitted. Great to see Terry and have a catch-up over a bacon butty (for Jon) and a cracking brew! Terry was in the middle of fitting all his Christmas lights, so we look forward to seeing pics of the big switch on! Thanks Terry for the gifts, really appreciated. Jon will enjoy sampling a gin later!

For our last call of the day, and the week, we headed a few miles down the road to see Nev at his new abode and to check over his new car. A TF 160, that he had bought knowing that there were issues as the cambelt had snapped, but wasn’t sure to what extent. We couldn’t see anything obvious with the borescope, so we whipped off the head. The head had previously been skimmed to within an inch of its life, and had 4 bent valves, but fortunately there wasn’t any damage to the pistons or liners. Date to be arranged to go back with a refurbished head and refit everything. Everything else on the car appeared sound and one that’s worth saving, always a good result.

A really great full on week, with lots of interesting stuff going on. Now time for a full weekend off for family time. ☺️ (well apart from still doing the admin for me and some maintenance on the van for Jon). – https://ift.tt/aDHVMqs

A couple of real pea souper mornings on our way up to the north east, which made for late starts so far this week…

Monday was spent working on a Rover 218 VVC coupe ‘Tom Cat’.

The car hadn’t turned a wheel for 12 years, but nevertheless was still a runner. We carried out head gasket replacement and a cambelt service, plus replaced all filters, spark plugs and alternator belt. We removed the thermostat as it was hanging lose anyway, good job as it was well gunked up with rust. The car had evidently been topped up with just water in its past life due to this and the state of the water pump. A bit more work to be done, but a very good save of this fab car, complete with low mileage and really good body work.

Our first call of the day today was in Bishop Auckland, where it was lovely to meet Tom and his MGF 143 (in CAQ) that he had recently bought. The slave cylinder needed replacing and the hydragas pumping up.

All done there we then continued on to Durham, to meet Luke for check ups on his two cars.

Of which, one is an MGF Mk 1 mpi (in COF) that was still in good original condition, apart from the roof that had been replaced prior to his ownership.

And a 1.4 ZR in Ignition Blue, that was also in great condition.

Great to meet Luke and have a chat, as there wasn’t a great deal of history on either of them when he bought both of them from Mathewson’s a year apart from each other. Date to be arranged for next year to get a couple of essential service items carried out on them.

We had an enjoyable day on Sunday, Ruth and Mark came over from Belper to collect ‘Destiny’ her fab TF 135. Great to see them as always. Big thanks to Ruth for more potted plants, grown by her own fair hand, to continue to brighten up the front of the workshop. (Forgot to get a pic, will feature in future posts). Pleased to hear they had a good run back, with a few subtle pops along the way!

Adrian drove up from Leigh on Sea, and called in on his way, to a run in North Yorkshire, for a few things to be sorted on the very well travelled ‘Pearl’ his TF 160.
Great to see Adrian and have a catch-up. Thanks so much to him for the selection of teas and tin of biscuits, always very welcome! – https://ift.tt/fFBsX0p

Simon drove down from Kilwinning at the weekend to leave his TF 135 (in FAR) with us.

Before we got cracking with that we headed over to Slaithwaite on Monday morning to fit stainless underfloor coolant pipes and carry out a minor service on Jill’s TF 135 (in LQW). We didn’t see Jill on this visit as she was away working. All done and sorted for her and just in the nic of time before the heavens opened!

Work then commenced on Simon’s TF, all 4 sill corners required quite a bit of welding. The whole of the underside was given a good sort, with everything required to get it back to rights. Chunks of old underseal removed on the subframes and rust cured. The wheel arch liners were in a bit of a ropey state with splits and cracks and not held in very well, which were catching on the tyres. Replacement ones fitted from our stock. We gave her a bit of a wash and clean up today and are pleased to say she’s looking a little better and all ready for collection on Monday.

We had another visitor from Scotland on Thursday, Robert drove down from Glasgow in his TF 135. The heater control valve appeared not to be functioning, but on inspection it was the outer casing that had slipped, all now sorted and full heat in the heaters again. New alternator belt fitted while he was there, as his was squealing a bit.

A real shame I was feeling crook and didn’t get to see him and go out for tea, all of us, as planned. Sorry, Robert, you had to enjoy the delights of Market Weighton on your own! Will make it up to you next time. Enjoy the rest of your road trip, and your night in Hawick tonight. (Thanks for letting me pinch a pic from your archives with me not being there to take a new one). Have a great run back home tomorrow morning.

Steve came over from Hull to leave his MGF 1.8 mpi (in CMU) with us on Thursday evening. So this morning we carried out the minor service and took it over for the MOT. We gave the car a bit of a clean up too as it was a bit of a muddy road to the estate this week with all the rain, now all ready for collection on Monday too.

A productive week, even though I ‘milked it’ yesterday, (ha you knew I’d get that in Jon 😆). A ‘no show’ yesterday for a check up on a ZR, just hope all is OK.

We look forward to greeting Adrian and ‘Pearl’ at the workshop in the morning, for a couple of things, as he heads up to North Yorkshire for a run over the weekend. The van will need a re-stock and prep for next week too. – https://ift.tt/jluVTDG

Cadwell Park – Stage Rally 2022

A cracking way to spend a weekend and have a bit of downtime.

We finished off getting ‘Dirty Nancy’ track ready. Some of you may remember her as Ruth Evans’ previous MG 135. Having not turned a wheel in quite a few years and a bit of a list to get through when we had the odd moment spare, she let lose out on the track yesterday! 💨💨💨

Absolutely brilliant fun, the track was a bit wet due to the rain throughout the night, which made for some interesting moments. Amazing being on track with some of the Class B rally drivers. Jon was let loose on his own for the last couple of laps and span off on Hall Bends, meeting with the tyre wall! Jon was fine, but the bumper sustained a bit of a dent, and the new exhaust was bent over. Oops. 🫣

Today was spent spectating the stages, which was so entertaining, with such awesome drivers and their fantastic cars. We made it through to the last stage this year, but gave the fireworks a miss as the cold was beginning to get to us. Great to catch-up with a couple of pals too. – https://ift.tt/9mIUKOF

Up bright and early on Monday morning to set off in very dense fog which was with us all the way to Tydd St Giles.

It was cambelt service time on Claire’s TF 135 (in HFF). Great to see her sister, Emma, and have a catch-up with her and their mum and dad.

From there, we headed down to Burwell near Cambridge where it was lovely to meet Bill and his wife, whose fab looking Trophy was sitting a little bit on the low side. Really nice looking car that they have owned for about 20 years, but will soon be going up for sale, somewhat reluctantly. We’d have bought it, but we don’t have the space, unfortunately.

One of the jobs was canceled last minute, so with an early finish we headed over to Little Thetford, near Ely, where we had some really fantastic digs, definitely one to go back to, could have happily moved in!

On Tuesday morning we left our digs and headed over to Thrapston for work on Matt’s TF 115 again. This time it was for the cambelt service, cambelt, water pump, plugs, oil and all filters replaced. Absolutely tipped it down all morning so the gazebo was duly deployed! The job went well fortunately, but we were a bit damp as the rain was coming in sideways.

Heaters on full blast to get dried off as we ventured on to our next stop in Grantham with a stop at a butty van en route for a warning brew.

The weather was still looking bleak when we arrived at John’s house, who said we could come back another day if we preferred, but we saw a bit of a break in the clouds and got cracking on his 85th Anniversary, TF 135 (paint code 297).

Cambelt service carried out and investigation into a misfire. The misfire was down to a coil pack and a plug lead that had burnt out. Coil pack and lead replaced, along with a new set of spark plugs. Engine now running nice and smooth.

It was interesting to meet John, and have a chat while worked, who has owned various models of MGs over the years. Date to be arranged for him to visit us at the workshop for a remap.

This morning found us in Sleaford, where it was good to meet Kev and his son. Kev had fancied owning another MG, having had an MGBGT in the past, so spent a bit of time searching for the right one. He eventually found this TF 1.6 (in JGY) that had little service history. So to be on the safe side he booked us in for the cambelt service, and some other things, including preemptive head gasket replacement. What a fab car he has found himself.

A bit of a drier day and an enjoyable morning chatting to Kev about all things MG. Thanks to them for the brews and the butty and we look forward to seeing them again, next year, for a few more things to get her just as they want her, as she is to be a keeper.

An early finish so enough time to walk back home, with a fab sunset seen from the Humber Bridge. Workshop day tomorrow for a few things, which will include finishing off the track car ready for the weekend! – https://ift.tt/yje4Afb

🙄🥱 SPAM 🥱🙄

As seems to be the way of things at the moment people are being hacked and spammed and generally mucked about.

We have a problem with our emails being sent into SPAM folders or being rejected either inward or outward. We’re looking into this with our tech support.

Can anyone who has emailed us recently please check your folders for our replies that may well have fallen into your SPAM/JUNK.

Please send any enquiries at the moment via our other formats; text message, personal message or WatsApp. I’ve been monitoring our email replies and resending via text.

Mobile number: 07766993717.

Many thanks for your patience!! 😳 – https://ift.tt/PF3oiDJ